Turkish police on Friday detained over a dozen people including academics from two Istanbul universities linked with an association led by imprisoned human rights activist Osman Kavala, state-run Anadolu Agency reports.

Police issued arrest warrants for 20 people as part of an investigation into Anadolu Kultur (Anatolian Culture) whose chairman Kavala has been jailed for more than a year but not formally charged.

Kavala was arrested on October 18, 2017, before being remanded in custody on November 1.

Kavala's Anadolu Kultur NGO which aims to overcome differences within Turkish society through culture and the arts has sought to reach out to neighbouring Armenia.

Kavala, who has urged to recognize the Armenian Genocide, is regularly compared by pro-government Turkish media to the liberal US billionaire George Soros.